Home safety

Taking steps to prevent fires and planning can help you stay safe. Smoke alarms, clear exits and safe habits make a big difference.

This page outlines practical ways to reduce the risk of fire and protect yourself at home. From safe cooking habits to smoke alarm checks, it’s all about keeping your space safe, calm and prepared.

Fit and Test Smoke Alarms

• You should have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home.
• Test your alarms once a week - press the button until it beeps.
• Replace the batteries every year unless you have a long-life sealed battery.
• If you can’t test your alarm easily, ask a friend, family member or support worker to help.

Always remember: Never remove batteries to stop false alarms - instead, consider fitting a heat detector in kitchens or bathrooms where smoke is common but not dangerous.

In the Kitchen 

• Stay in the room when you’re cooking — especially when frying or grilling.
• Keep tea towels, paper and packaging away from hobs and open flames.
• Use a timer to remind yourself when food is cooking.
• Avoid loose sleeves or clothing that could catch fire.
• Turn off appliances after use and unplug them where safe to do so.

General Fire Safety Tips

• Don’t overload plug sockets or use damaged appliances.
• Keep exits clear — avoid blocking doorways with furniture, boxes or shoes.
• Don’t smoke in bed or near flammable materials.
• Use candles and portable heaters carefully, keeping them away from curtains or soft furnishings.
• Never leave electric blankets switched on while sleeping or unattended.
• If you use oxygen at home, take extra care — avoid open flames and speak to your provider for advice.

Create an Escape Plan

• Make sure you know how to leave your home quickly in an emergency.
• Keep keys to doors and windows in easy-to-reach places — not in locked drawers or across the room.
• If you use a mobility aid, ensure it’s kept near your bed or seating area.
• Practice your plan with support if needed, and keep hallways and landings clear.
• Contact your local fire brigade for a fire home safety check and help with installing smoke alarms.

Get a Free Home Fire Safety Check

Most local fire services offer free home safety visits to check for fire risks and fit smoke alarms if needed. These checks are friendly, informal and designed to help, especially for older people, those living alone or anyone with health conditions or reduced mobility.

Calling for Assistance

If you're worried about calling for help in an emergency, consider a personal alarm or lifeline service. These devices can alert someone quickly, even if you can’t get to the phone.

---

Find Support

Please find below useful links, relevant resources and contact information. All links open in a new window and may include links to websites, videos, and PDF files for downloading and printing. 

For a full list of organisations in your local area that can support you, help you to stay active, and improve your home safety, please visit our help and contacts section.

[box]

Fire Safety

Cleveland Fire Brigade Safety Check 
Offering Safer Homes Visits to people who may be at greater risk from fire. These visits can include our trained staff visiting your home to provide safety advice, conduct smoke alarm checks, and fit free alarms if needed.
01429 874063

[/box]

[box]

Support Services

Social Services
If you are struggling to manage around your home, contact your GP surgery and ask to be referred for assessment for rehabilitation:
Redcar and Cleveland - 01642 065070
Middlesbrough - 01642 065070

South Tees Falls Team
If you require general falls prevention advice and support or don't know where to start, please contact the Falls Team at Low Grange Health Centre, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm.
01642 944484 / ste-tr.fallsteam@nhs.net

Age UK Teesside
Age UK Teesside has a wide range of services to help over 50s in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland to achieve the best out of their lives, their finances, social life and health & wellbeing
01642 805500 / info@ageukteesside.org.uk

[/box]

[box]

Home Adaptations and Support

Handyperson and Adaptations, Redcar and Cleveland
We offer assistance to older, disabled and vulnerable people by providing advice on housing options, minor and major housing adaptations as well as delivering a handyperson service for small jobs.
01642 771500 / HandyPersonAndAdaptations@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk 

Middlesbrough Staying Put Agency
Middlesbrough Staying Put Agency (SPA) is a home improvement agency that offers specialist support and advice to older, vulnerable, and disabled people to help them remain safe and independent in their own homes. 
0800 5875 184 / stayingputagency@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Assistive Technology
Assistive technology means devices or systems that can help you do everyday things that might be hard or impossible otherwise. It can help with a range of difficulties, including memory and movement problems. It can also be called 'technology-enabled care' (TEC).
01642 726009 / telecare@middlesbrough.gov.uk

[/box]

[box]

Pendant Alarm and Response Services

Connect Middlesbrough
We offer emergency help and support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Connect is easy to use and gives you extra security and peace of mind. All of our staff are highly-trained and qualified. We're committed to helping our residents stay safe and independent in their own homes.
01642 726009 / controlroom@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Beyond Housing Reach and Response
For pendant alarm and telecare services in Redcar and Cleveland.
01642 771339

[/box]

[box]

Helpful Links 

Fire safety tips at home - Age UK
Tips for making your home fire safe - RoSPA (video)

[/box]

[box]

More on this website

Visit our Information and Advice section
Visit our Staying Active section
Visit our Home Safety section
Visit our Help and Contacts section 
Start your online Self-Assessment

[/box]

---